Water heaters are one of the most important amenities in our homes. Without it, we would have to take cold showers during those freezing winter mornings. We may also have to contend with those cold nights where we just want to take a comfortable shower, but we can’t due to the stressful shivering that comes after. Indeed, they are as vital as the other equipment in our home, much so that they should be well-maintained to ensure that they would last us a lifetime.
Now, some people have a variety of water heaters in their bathroom that is powered by electricity. As hi-tech as it may be, it also requires a certain amount of cleaning after some time just to keep its showerhead clean and unclogged. While it may seem simple just to wipe the outer surface with a cleaning cloth, the truth is that the whole heater has to undergo a couple more methods just to keep it spotless and in good working condition.
Follow the tips we’ve listed below.
1. Turn Off the Electric Switch Before Touching Any Part of the Heater
We’re going to cheat a bit here since this doesn’t directly refer to the process of cleaning. However, anything that runs on electricity must be tended with utmost care. Skipping this vital part of the process may risk experiencing an electric shock while trying to clean its parts. Most electric heaters have easy-to-reach switches that allow you to immediately cut off the power supply. Focus on this first before you even begin to wipe the heater clean.
2. Drain the Tank
In order to properly clean the whole heater, you must first drain any water that may still be inside it. Immediately gouging through the cleaning process without draining it may cause scalding. Put out the excess liquid to get rid of the accumulated sediments and keep your skin safe. The thing about local water supplies is that they tend to contain a few particles of dirt and dust, and they would often build up inside your piping system and your water heater. Drain out the water and flush out all of them so there will be no clogs in the tank.
3. Carefully Brush the Inside of the Water Heater
This part requires finesse and precision. The thing is, you must be careful when doing this; otherwise, you might damage the vital sections and components of your electric heater. By being deliberate with the scrubbing and getting a feel of all the different sections, you can get rid of all the molds and accumulated materials that have been constricting much of the water flow in the tank. You must also pick a good cleaning agent to efficiently scrub off the dirt, as some of them tend to stick to the inner surface despite all the scrubbing.
4. Refill the Tank With Water After Cleaning, Then Drain
After brushing the inside sections of the heater, you need to fill it up again with water, only this time, you need to drain it again. Feel free to do this multiple times to ensure that it will flush away any of the dirt or mold you were able to clear off the surfaces. This will also eliminate any leftover residues of the cleaning agent that you had used.
Conclusion
Cleaning your electric water heater in the most efficient way is just a matter of knowing how to do it properly and safely. No method is ever perfect, but by following the tips above, you can be sure that your task will be made easier, even if you are not an expert yourself.
Just in case things didn’t go accordingly and you need a plumbing company that deals with water heater replacement in Columbiana, AL, look no further than Professor Plumb. We are a licensed professional plumbing company specializing in piping systems, gas services, new installations, and repairs. Contact us today to request our services.